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Ecological site QX197X01X001

Coastal Marsh

Last updated: 6/12/2025
Accessed: 12/05/2025

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General information

Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.

MLRA notes

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 197X–Volcanic Islands of American Samoa

This MLRA consists of the islands of Tutuila, Aunuu, Ofu, Olosega, and Tau. The islands have extremely steep, highly dissected mountains, small valleys, and a narrow coastal plain. More than half of the area has slopes of more than 70 percent. The highest elevations are 3,056 feet (931 meters) on Tau and 2,142 feet (653 meters) on Tutuila. The islands consist of Pleistocene-age, basic igneous rocks, mainly basalt with some andesite and trachyte (USDA-NRCS, 2006).

The climate is moist, warm, and humid. Average annual rainfall ranges from 125 inches (3,175 millimeters) to more than 250 inches (6,350 millimeters). Rainfall varies over short distances due to topography. The driest months are June through September; the wettest months are December through March. Average annual temperature is 81 degrees F (27 degrees C). Relative humidity is 73 to 90 percent throughout the year. Prevailing winds are easterly trade winds. Cyclones occasionally strike the area (USDA-NRCS, 2006).

Soils are Mollisols, Andisols, Entisols, Oxisols, and Histosols. Soil moisture regimes are udic or perudic; the soil temperature regime is isohyperthermic. Natural vegetation is mostly tropical hardwood forest (USDA-NRCS, 2006).

Classification relationships

This ecological site occurs within Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 197 – Volcanic Islands of American Samoa.

Ecological site concept

This ecological site occurs on the islands of Tutuila, Aunuu, Ofu, Olosega, and Tau in American Samoa. It occurs on nearly level (0 to 2 percent) in depressions or basins on coastal plains at elevations ranging from 0 to 20 feet (0 to 6 meters) elevation. It is most easily accessible on the coastal plain or in the crater on Aunuu (USDA-SCS, 1984).

Soils are in the Histosols (Terric Haplosaprists), Mollisols (Cumulic Haplaquolls), and Entisols (Mollic Psammaquents) orders. They consist of mucky sandy loam, mucky clay loam, or peat that formed from organic matter over coral sand and alluvium. Soil temperature regimes are isohyperthermic; soil moisture regimes are aquic. Average annual rainfall ranges from 150 to 200 inches (3750 to 5000 millimeters). Water runoff is slow. Soils are commonly ponded, and flooding is occasional to frequent and of brief duration . Effective rooting depth is 40 to 60 inches (100 to 150 centimeters). Groundwater and surface water are fresh or slightly brackish (USDA-SCS, 1984).

This ecological site is herbaceous marsh dominated by sedges and ferns. It is separated from seawater by low ridges or littoral or alluvial deposits and fed with fresh water by streams (USDA-SCS, 1984; Whistler, 2002).

Associated sites

QX197X01X505	Skeletal Pachic or Fulvic Forest Skeletal Pachic or Fulvic Forest adjoins Coastal Marsh where uplands, talus slopes, and mountain slopes come down to depressions on coastal plains. It occurs on slopes up to 900 feet in elevation and has well drained soils, in contrast with Coastal Marsh, which ascends to 20 feet elevation and has very poorly drained soils.
QX197X01X506	Tuff or Rock Subsurface Forest Tuff or Rock Subsurface Forest adjoins Coastal Marsh where uplands and mountain slopes descend to depressions on coastal plains. It occurs on slopes up to 1500 feet in elevation and has well drained soils, in contrast with Coastal Marsh, which ascends to 20 feet elevation and has very poorly drained soils.

QX197X01X505

Skeletal Pachic or Fulvic Forest

Skeletal Pachic or Fulvic Forest adjoins Coastal Marsh where uplands, talus slopes, and mountain slopes come down to depressions on coastal plains. It occurs on slopes up to 900 feet in elevation and has well drained soils, in contrast with Coastal Marsh, which ascends to 20 feet elevation and has very poorly drained soils.

QX197X01X506

Tuff or Rock Subsurface Forest

Tuff or Rock Subsurface Forest adjoins Coastal Marsh where uplands and mountain slopes descend to depressions on coastal plains. It occurs on slopes up to 1500 feet in elevation and has well drained soils, in contrast with Coastal Marsh, which ascends to 20 feet elevation and has very poorly drained soils.

Similar sites

QX197X01X501	Mangrove Swamp Like Coastal Marsh, Mangrove Swamp occurs on very poorly drained soils to elevations no greater than 20 feet. However, Mangrove Swamp is open to seawater, making its waters saline rather than fresh, undergoes twice-daily tidal flooding rather than occasional to frequent flooding, and is accessible to mangrove seeds and seedlings.

QX197X01X501

Mangrove Swamp

Like Coastal Marsh, Mangrove Swamp occurs on very poorly drained soils to elevations no greater than 20 feet. However, Mangrove Swamp is open to seawater, making its waters saline rather than fresh, undergoes twice-daily tidal flooding rather than occasional to frequent flooding, and is accessible to mangrove seeds and seedlings.

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	Not specified
Shrub	Not specified
Herbaceous	(1) Eleocharis dulcis (2) Thelypteris interrupta

Legacy ID

R197XY001AS

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Physiographic features

This ecological site consists of marshes occurring in depressions or basins on coastal plains (USDA-SCS, 1984).

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Island > Marsh (2) Island > Depression (3) Island > Valley flat
Runoff class	Low
Flooding duration	Brief (2 to 7 days)
Flooding frequency	Occasional to frequent
Ponding frequency	None to frequent
Elevation	20 ft
Slope	2%
Ponding depth	12 in
Water table depth	6 – 20 in
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Climatic features

The area is characterized by abundant rain and warm, humid days and nights. Average annual precipitation in this ecological site ranges from 98 to 187 inches (2490 to 4750 millimeters). Mean annual air temperature is 80F (27C). The driest period is June through September (winter), and the wettest is December through March (summer), although heavy showers and long, rainy periods can occur in any month. June, July, and August are the coolest months, and January, February, and March are the warmest. Daytime temperatures typically reach the upper 80s in summer and the middle 80s F in winter, while nighttime temperatures are in the middle 70s in summer and low 70s in winter.

The prevailing winds throughout the year are the easterly trade winds. They tend to be more directly from the east in December through March and mostly from the east-southeast and southeast during the rest of the year. The trade winds are less prevalent in summer than in winter. About 25 to 30 thunderstorms occur in an average year, mainly during the rainy season. The area lies across the path of tropical disturbances, including cyclones, that come usually from the north, but occasionally from east or west (USDA-SCS, 1984; USDI-FWS, 1982).

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (characteristic range)	365 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)	365 days
Precipitation total (characteristic range)	98-187 in
Frost-free period (actual range)	365 days
Freeze-free period (actual range)	365 days
Precipitation total (actual range)	98-200 in
Frost-free period (average)	365 days
Freeze-free period (average)	365 days
Precipitation total (average)	128 in

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 1. Monthly precipitation range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 2. Monthly minimum temperature range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 3. Monthly maximum temperature range

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Figure 4. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 5. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 6. Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) PAGO PAGO WSO AP [AQW00061705], AS

Soil features

INSAK, INSAK VARIANT, MESEI VARIANT

The soils in this ecological site are very poorly drained are Entisols, Mollisols, or Histosols (and having a thick mineral layer in the control section) that formed from alluvium, coral sand, and organic matter. The soil temperature regimes are isohypothermic (very warm) with a mean temperature of 80F (27C). The soil moisture regimes are aquic. The soils are sometimes flooded by heavy rains and runoff. The water table lies between depths of about 0 to 15 inches (0 to 38 centimeters) below the soil surface. Scattered depressions may be occasionally ponded to various depths (USDA-SCS, 1984).

Table 4. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Alluvium (2) Beach sand (3) Organic material
Surface texture	(1) Mucky sandy loam (2) Clay loam (3) Peat
Drainage class	Very poorly drained
Permeability class	Slow to rapid
Depth to restrictive layer	26 – 72 in
Soil depth	26 – 72 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	Not specified
Surface fragment cover >3"	Not specified
Available water capacity (0-40in)	3 – 10 in
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in)	Not specified
Electrical conductivity (0-40in)	16 mmhos/cm
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in)	16
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in)	6.6 – 8.4
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (0-40in)	6 – 12%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (0-40in)	2%

Ecological dynamics

These coastal marshes occur on low areas dominated by herbaceous, hydrophytic vegetation and saturated with fresh or slightly brackish water. They are separated from adjacent bodies of seawater by low ridges or littoral or alluvium deposits and are fed by small, freshwater streams that fill the low areas with alluvium. Because the marshes lack direct connections to the sea, mangrove propagules are unable to invade (Forestry Program, Division of Community and Natural Resources, 2010; USDA-SCS, 1984; Whistler, 2002).

The main natural disturbance is strong storms that can damage vegetation and possibly bring seawater into a marsh. The effects of seawater incursion will gradually diminish. The main human disturbances are filling to claim areas for building construction, replacement of native vegetation by cultivating taro, and weed invasion after abandonment of taro agriculture (Forestry Program, Division of Community and Natural Resources, 2010; Whistler, 2002).

State and transition model

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Standard diagram

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Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text

Ecosystem states

T1A	-	State 1 Reference transitions to State 2 Cultivated removal of native vegetation and planting taro (Alocasia macrorrhizos).
T1B	-	State 1 Reference transitions to State 4 Landfilled by intentional filling of a marsh to create construction sites.
T2A	-	State 2 Cultivated transitions to State 3 Abandoned with abandonment of taro fields, which are quickly invaded by mostly introduced species.
T2B	-	State 2 Cultivated transitions to State 4 Landfilled by intentional filling of cropland to create construction sites.
R3A	-	State 3 Abandoned can be restored to State 2 Cultivated by weed removal and resumption of taro cultivation.
T3A	-	State 3 Abandoned transitions to State 4 Landfilled by intentional filling of cropland to create construction sites.

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Chinese water chestnut/Wildenow’s maiden fern

1.2. Chinese water chestnut - hilograss/Wildenow’s maiden fern

P1.1A	-	This phase change occurs due to damage to native vegetation stands by storms.
P1.2A	-	This community phase may revert to phase 1.1 with gradual regrowth of native species when given adequate time to recover after disturbance. However, it is likely that some introduced species will remain.

State 1
Reference State

This state consists of two community phases dominated by dense stands of sedges, grasses, and ferns. Storms that disturb or kill native vegetation can allow a rapid phase change from 1.1, which has all native species, to 1.2, which has a mix of native and introduced species. Particularly strong storms have resulted in loss of one or more native species until propagules from elsewhere are able to repopulate these species. Disturbance of native coastal marsh by pigs creates a more gradual invasion of introduced species (Forestry Program, Division of Community and Natural Resources, 2010; Whistler, 2002).

Community 1.1
Chinese water chestnut/Wildenow’s maiden fern

The dominant species in this community are the sedge Chinese water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis), which grows to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall, and Wildenow’s maiden fern (Thelypteris interrupta), which grows to over 3 feet (1 meter) tall. Golden leatherfern (Acrostichum aureum), a fern, may also be abundant. Other species that are found occasionally are lau ieie (Scirpodendron ghaeri) and matamat (Rhynchospora corymbosa), both of which are large sedges, and minute duckweed (Lemna perpusilla) (Forestry Program, Division of Community and Natural Resources, 2010; Stemmermann, 1981; Whistler, 2002).

Dominant plant species

Chinese water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis), grass
Willdenow's maiden fern (Thelypteris interrupta), other herbaceous

Community 1.2
Chinese water chestnut - hilograss/Wildenow’s maiden fern

The dominant species in this community are the native sedge Chinese water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis), which grows to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall, introduced hilograss or vao lima (Paspalum conjugatum), and Wildenow’s maiden fern (Thelypteris interrupta), which grows to over 3 feet (1 meter) tall. Golden leatherfern (Acrostichum aureum), a fern, may also be abundant. Other native species that are found occasionally are lau ieie (Scirpodendron ghaeri) and matamat (Rhynchospora corymbosa), both of which are large sedges, and minute duckweed (Lemna perpusilla). Other introduced species that may be present are the forb Mexican primrose-willow (Ludwigia octovalvis), the sedges Javanese flatsedge (Cyperus javanicus) and Torulinium odoratum, and the grasses kodomillet (Paspalum scrobiculatum) and seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) (Forestry Program, Division of Community and Natural Resources, 2010; Space and Flynn, 2000; Stemmermann, 1981; Whistler, 2002).

Dominant plant species

red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), tree
Chinese water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis), grass
hilograss (Paspalum conjugatum), grass
Willdenow's maiden fern (Thelypteris interrupta), other herbaceous

Pathway P1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

This phase change occurs due to damage to native vegetation stands by storms.

Pathway P1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1

This community phase may revert to phase 1.1 with gradual regrowth of native species when given adequate time to recover after disturbance. However, it is likely that some introduced species will remain.

State 2
Cultivated State

This state consists of one community phase that has been cleared of vegetation and cultivated.

Community 2.1
Taro

This community phase consists of cultivated taro (Alocasia macrorrhizos) fields (Forestry Program, Division of Community and Natural Resources, 2010; Stemmermann, 1981; USDA-SCS, 1984; Whistler, 2002).

Dominant plant species

giant taro (Alocasia macrorrhizos), other herbaceous

State 3
Abandoned State

This state consists of one community phase dominated by weedy, introduced plant species.

Community 3.1
Mexican primrose-willow/matamat

This community phase typically is dominated by the introduced forb Mexican primrose-willow (Ludwigia octovalvis) and the native sedge matamat (Rhynchospora corymbosa) (Forestry Program, Division of Community and Natural Resources, 2010; Space and Flynn, 2000; Stemmermann, 1981; USDA-SCS, 1984; Whistler, 2002).

Dominant plant species

matamat (Rhynchospora corymbosa), grass
Mexican primrose-willow (Ludwigia octovalvis), other herbaceous

State 4
Landfilled State

This state consists of filled land occupied by buildings.

Community 4.1
Urban Use

The hydrologic conditions of the marsh have been obliterated. Vegetation consists of weedy and intentionally planted species (Forestry Program, Division of Community and Natural Resources, 2010; Space and Flynn, 2000; Stemmermann, 1981; USDA-SCS, 1984; Whistler, 2002).

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

The Reference State (1) transitions to the Cultivated State (2) by the removal of native vegetation and planting taro (Alocasia macrorrhizos).

Transition T1B
State 1 to 4

The Reference State (1) transitions to the Landfilled State (4) by intentional filling of a marsh to create construction sites.

Transition T2A
State 2 to 3

The Cultivated State (2) transitions to the Abandoned State (3) with abandonment of taro fields, which are quickly invaded by mostly introduced species.

Transition T2B
State 2 to 4

The Cultivated State (2) transitions to the Landfilled State (4) by intentional filling of cropland to create construction sites.

Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 2

The Abandoned State (3) can be restored to the Cultivated State (2) by weed removal and resuming taro cultivation.

Transition T3A
State 3 to 4

The Abandoned State (3) transitions to the Landfilled State (4) by intentional filling of cropland to create construction sites.

Additional community tables

Supporting information

Other references

Annotated References for R197XY001AS Coastal Marsh

Dixon JB and Schulze DG, eds. 2002. Soil Mineralogy with Environmental Applications. Volume 7. Soil Science Society of America. Available online at: https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.2136/sssabookser7 Exhaustive treatment of basics of soil mineralogy and implications for environmental management.

Federal Geographic Data Committee. 2019. Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats Classification Map Code Diagram. Tree diagram outlining translations of NWI map codes.

Forestry Program, Disvision of Community and Natural Resources. 2010. American Samoa Forest Assessment and Resource Strategy. American Samoa Community College, Pago Pago, American Samoa. Some discussion of disturbances, threats, and invasive species.

Green K, G Kittel, C Lopez, A Ainsworth, M Selvig, V Vaivai, K Akamine, M Tukman, and G Kudray. Vegetation Mapping Inventory Project, National Park of American Samoa. USDI,NPS Natural Resource Stewardship and Science. Fort Collins, Colorado. Discussion and maps of fine-scale vegetation associations, including Appendix with data including elevation ranges, litter, bare, and surface rockiness.

Kirch PV. 2000. On the Road of the Winds: An Archaeological History of the Pacific Islands Before European Contact. Berkeley: University of California Press. General discussion of effects of prehistoric Polynesians on native vegetation.

Mueller-Dombois D and FR Fosberg. 1998. Vegetation of the Tropical Pacific Islands. Springer-Verlag, New York. General account of tropical Pacific Island vegetation, with section on Hawaii. Discussion of likely effect of stoniness on soil moistue storage in dry habitats.

Sene DM. 2020. Forest Action Plan. Forestry Program, American Samoa Community College, Pago Pago, American Samoa. Discussions of forest types, disturbances, and succession.

Shoji SD, M Nanzyo, and R Dahlgren. 1993. Volcanic Ash Soils: Genesis, Properties and Utilization. Elsevier, New York. Detailed discussion of volcanic ash soils. Not specific to Hawaii, but very informative.

Soil Survey Staff. 2014. Soil Taxonomy, Twelfth Edition. USDA – NRCS. Standard book of soil taxonomy; useful for terminology and interpretation of soils.

Space JC and T Flynn. 2000. Observations on invasive plant species in American Samoa. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Honolulu. http://www.hear.org/pier/references/pierref000021.htm Recent, detailed report on invasive and potentially invasive plants in American Samoa.

Stemmermann L. 1981. A Guide to Pacific Wetland Plants. US Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District. Guide to Pacific Islands wetlands types and plant species.

USDA-NRCS. 2011. Soil Survey Laboratory Information Manual. Soil Survey Investigations Report No. 45, Version 2.0. National Soil Survey Center, Lincoln, Nebraska. Provides additional insight for interpretation of soils information.

USDA-NRCS. 2006. Major Land Resource Regions. USDA Agriculture Handbook 296. http://soils.usda.gov/MLRAExplorer Description of MLRAs of Hawaii.

USDA-SCS. 1984. Soil Survey of Islands of American Samoa. Nakamura S, Chavez CL and MW Roybal, in cooperation with the Government of American Samoa. The latest NRCS soil survey for these islands. Some of the taxonomic names are outdated.

USDI-FWS. 1982. Woldlife and Wildlife Habitat of American Samoa. II. Accounts of Flora and Fauna. R Banks, editor. Washington DC. Discussion of vegetation as habitat types for local fauna. Good climate discussion.

USDI-FWS. 1979. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. Cowardin LM, V Carter, FC Golet, and ET LaRoe. Office of Biological Services. Washington, DC. The standard reference for defining wetlands in the US.

USDI-NPS. 2009. Natural History Guide to American Samoa, 3rd Edition. P. Craig, editor. National Park of Samoa, Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources-American Samoa, American Samoa Community College-Community and Natural Resources Division. General reference for terrestrial and marine resources of American Samoa, with color photographs.

Webb EL. 2009. A Guide to the Native Ornamental Trees of American Samoa. Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources, Government of American Samoa. Guide to the more common and/or useful native trees recommended for planting in American Samoa, with color photographs and individual descriptions.

Webb EL and S Fa`aumu. 1999. Diversity and structure of tropical rain forest of Tutuila, American Samoa: effects of site age and subsrate. Plant Ecology 44: 257-274. Information on wind disturbances and their effect on forest succession on Tutuila.

Whistler WA. 2004. Rainforest Trees of Samoa. Isle Botanica, Honolulu. A guide to the common lowland and foothill forest trees of the Samoan archipelago.

Whistler WA. 2002. The Samoan Rainforest. Isle Botanica, Honolulu. A guide to the various vegetation types of the Samoan archipelago, with some reference to landscape and soils, and based on extensive fieldwork.

Whistler WA. 1995. Wayside Plants of the Islands: A Guide to the Lowland Flora of the Pacific Islands. Isle Botanica, Honolulu. Reference of common introduced plant species in lowland areas of the Pacific Islands including American Samoa; with color photographs.

Whistler WA. 1994. Botanical Inventory of the Proposed Tutuila and Ofu Units of the National Park of American Samoa. Technical Report 87. National Park Service. Honolulu. Discussion of vegetation types within area of American Samoa National Park on Tutuila and Ofu.

Whistler WA. 1992. Botanical Inventory of the Proposed Ta`u Unit of the National Park of American Samoa. Technical Report 83. National Park Service. Honolulu. Discussion of vegetation types within area of American Samoa National Park on Ta`u.

Contributors

David Clausnitzer PhD
John Proctor
Ann Tan
Carolyn Auweloa
Daniel Bowman
Amy Koch
Jennifer Fedenko
Kendra Moseley
Sarah Quistberg
Jill Ficke-Beaton
Daniel Block
Brendan Brazee
Curtis Talbot

Approval

Kendra Moseley, 6/12/2025

Acknowledgments

Assistance, advice, review, and/or insights:

Michael Constantinides, NRCS-PIA
Jennifer Higashino, USFWS and NRCS
Mike Kolman, NRCS

Rangeland health reference sheet

Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.

Author(s)/participant(s)
Contact for lead author
Date	06/13/2025
Approved by	Kendra Moseley
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production

Indicators

Number and extent of rills:
Presence of water flow patterns:
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):

Dominant:

Sub-dominant:

Other:

Additional:
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
Perennial plant reproductive capability:

Download reference sheet

Click on box and path labels to scroll to the respective text.

Ecosystem states

T1A	-	State 1 Reference transitions to State 2 Cultivated removal of native vegetation and planting taro (Alocasia macrorrhizos).
T1B	-	State 1 Reference transitions to State 4 Landfilled by intentional filling of a marsh to create construction sites.
T2A	-	State 2 Cultivated transitions to State 3 Abandoned with abandonment of taro fields, which are quickly invaded by mostly introduced species.
T2B	-	State 2 Cultivated transitions to State 4 Landfilled by intentional filling of cropland to create construction sites.
R3A	-	State 3 Abandoned can be restored to State 2 Cultivated by weed removal and resumption of taro cultivation.
T3A	-	State 3 Abandoned transitions to State 4 Landfilled by intentional filling of cropland to create construction sites.

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Chinese water chestnut/Wildenow’s maiden fern

1.2. Chinese water chestnut - hilograss/Wildenow’s maiden fern

P1.1A	-	This phase change occurs due to damage to native vegetation stands by storms.
P1.2A	-	This community phase may revert to phase 1.1 with gradual regrowth of native species when given adequate time to recover after disturbance. However, it is likely that some introduced species will remain.

State 2 submodel, plant communities

2.1. Taro

State 3 submodel, plant communities

3.1. Mexican primrose-willow/matamat

State 4 submodel, plant communities

4.1. Urban Use

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Natural ResourcesConservation Service

Ecological site QX197X01X001

Coastal Marsh

Last updated: 6/12/2025 Accessed: 12/05/2025

General information

MLRA notes

Classification relationships

Ecological site concept

Associated sites

Similar sites

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Legacy ID

Ecosystem states

State 1 submodel, plant communities

State 2 submodel, plant communities

State 3 submodel, plant communities

State 4 submodel, plant communities

Natural Resources
Conservation Service

Last updated: 6/12/2025
Accessed: 12/05/2025